Following his conviction, Dutt had spent nearly a month in Pune's Yerawada Jail but was subsequently granted bail by the Supreme Court on the condition that he would not leave the country without the court's permission. He is also required to present himself before the CBI office once in a month.

Sources said that the producers will again submit the visa application along with the requisite documents.

"Since the visa application has been returned, he can apply again and the producers will submit the requisite papers,'' the sources said.

Dutt's lawyer Farhana Shah pointed out that the actor had visited the US on several occasions in the past. ''Since he was not granted visa this time on some technical grounds, he will file a fresh application with proper documents,'' she said.

According to a senior CBI officer, the granting of visa is solely the concern of the Consulate. Usually, if a person is convicted, getting a US visa becomes difficult, he said.